Collapsible wheeled support for suitcases or like receptacles



June 9, 1931. J PINHEIRQ 1,808,864

COLLAPSIBLE WHEELED SUPPORT FOR SUITCASES OR LIKE; RECEPTACLES FiledFeb. 25, 1929 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented June 9, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN B.PJJIHEIRO, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA COLLAJPSIBLE WHEELED SUPPORT FORSUI'ICASES OR LIKE BEOEPTACLES Application filed February 25, 1929.Serial 1:10. 342,421.

There were no means provided on the suitcase itself by which the samecould be wheeled without necessitating the use of a separate carriage tosupport the weight thereof.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a collapsiblewheeled carriage adapted to be held within the suitcase when collapsedand to support the weight of the suitcase or the like when unfolded. v

Another object of the invention is the provision of a collapsiblewheeled carriage, piv otally mounted on the suitcase or the like so asto be swingable inside of the bottom plane of the suitcase or thelike,.and' to be held therein in the folded position thereof, meansbeing provided in the bottom of said suitcase or the like for inclosingthe wheeled carriage in the folded position thereof and also to separatethe compartment in which the carriage is positioned from the insidecompartment of said suitcase or the like, thereby protecting thearticles carried within said suitcase or the like. 7

Other objects of the invention are to provide a device of the characterdescribed that will be superior in point of simplicity, in-

' expensiveness of construction, positiveness of operation, and facilityand convenience in use and general efiiciency.

In this specification and the annexed drawings, the invention isillustrated in the form considered to be the best, but it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to such form because it maybe embodied in other forms; and 'it is also to be understood that inandby the claims following the description it isdesired to cover theinvention in whatsoever form it maybe embodied.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawingswherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a suitcase hav ng a wheeled supportthereon.

Figure 2 is a side view of the suitcase and the wheeled support thereon,part of the suitcase slde being broken away, the support being unfolded.

Figure 3 is a side view of the suitcase and the folded wheeled support,a portion of the suitcase side being broken away.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the device, the support being shown inthe folded position, and

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the device, the section beingtakenv on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar referencecharacters designate similar parts throughout, the various figuresdescribed aboveadequately illustrate my invention, and the followingdetailed description is commensurate with the above mentioned drawingsin enabling an artisan to construct and assemble the same.

In carrying out my invention I employ a wheeled support A attached, forthe purpose of illustration, to a suitcase B of the usual structure.case B is cut an aperture 7 extending longitudinally from end to end,however the aperture 7 does notextend into the ends of the suitcase B.The sides and the top of the aperture 7 are formed from the bottommaterial of the case B so as to confine an indentation thereat. Into theaperture 7 fits a metal box 8. Another way to form thespace into whichthe metal box is fitted is to extend the ends and the sides of the caseB below the bottom thereof and the box 8 is inserted into the inclosureconfined by said extensions.

The bottom of the box 8 is open in its entire length and width so as toallow the insertion I of the Wheels thereinto as hereinafter. set forth.A pair of narrow plates 9 is pivotally secured to each end of the box 8so as to be turnable lengthwise relatively to the box 8. The plates 9are disposed in parallel spaced relation to each other and adjacent theinside faces of-the respective sides of the box 8, thus the pairs ofplates 9 are foldable so as to assume a retracted position within thebox 8,

In the bottom 6 of the suiteach other, so as to hinge as shown in Figure3. The plates 9 are held in their parallel spaced relation by means of arivet or pin 11. At the lower end of one pair of the plates 9 isjournaled the axle 12 9f a comparatively narrow wheel '13, while 1n thelower end of the other pair of vplates 9 is suitably mounted a caster 14vertically p1voted at 19.

The plates -9 are held in the unfolded position, illustrated in Figure2, by means of links 16 pivotally secured to the sides of the box 8, tothe inner faces of the plates 9, and to the pair of plates 9 to the box8. When t e respective pairs of links lfi are extended the pan of plates.9, to

which they are secured, are supported in the upright position below thebox 8. The links are formed in the usual hinge connections and preventthe accidental buckling of the pairs of plates 9.

In order to retract the plates 9 into the box 8, the links are foldedaround the central pivotal connections thereof so as to be folded intothe position shown'in Figure 3, whereby the plates 9 are compelled toturn around their pivotal connections at the respective upper parativelysmall bar 17 pivotally secured at the center thereof to a narrowcrossbar 18 fixedly. fastened to the central portion of the open bottomof the box 8. The bar 17 is turnable in a horizontal planelongitudinally relative to the box,8 so that the opposite ends thereofare positioned below the wheels 13 and 14 obstructin the release thereoffrom the inside of the x 8.

When the balr 17 is turned crosswise relatively to the bottom of the box8; in underlying position relative to the crossbar 18, the

wheels dropout of the box 8 by their own gravity, causing the turning ofthe plates 9 around the pivoted ends thereof and the straightening ofthe links 16. In the last mentioned unfolded position of the support A,the case B is supported on the wheels 13 and 14 and may be readilywheeled thereon regardless of the weight of the articles packed in thecase B. 7 V.

It is to be noted that the box 8 is fixedly secured into the bottom ofthe case B by any conventional means such as by riveting or sewing. Theentire support A may be made as a separate unit and may be attached tothe bottom of any receptacle either fixedly or detachably. The case-B isheld by the usual handle thereof and is steered thereby;

It will be' recognized that the wheeled support heretofore described iscompletely hidalso noted that the device does not alter the characterand use of the suitcase or trunk or the like, it improves the carryingfacilities of the'same when unusually heavy articles are.

packed therein; the device is of unitary character it may be constructedas part of the case or it ma be provided as a separate unit and attacheto a ready made case; after assembly the device forms an integral partof the case and is carried therewith, it is particularly adapted for thepurposes set forthand it may be readily folded and unfolded by theaverage layman. i

. Having thus described my invention what I new claim as novel anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A wheeled vehicle for carrying cases comprising a receptacle adaptedto be disposed in a longitudinal aperture'in the bottom of said cargvingcase, brackets pivotally m'ountedin sai receptacleand disposed at theopposite ends thereof, wheels rotatably mounted at the outer ends ofsaid brackets, means for locking said brackets in operative position,and means for locking said brackets in folded position within saidreceptacle.

2. A wheeled vehicle for rigid carrying cases comprising a housingadapted to be inand adapted tofold longitudinally therein, a

wheel transversely pivoted at the opposite end of one of said brackets,a caster comprising a wheeltransversely pivoted in a yoke and a verticalpivot on said yoke, said vertical pivot cooperating with an aperturevertically disposed in the end of the other bracket, and means forlocking said brackets in operative position, and means for locking saidbrackets in folded position within said housing.

3. In combination with a substantially rigid traveling apparelcontainer, an inverted' rectangular housing longitudinally disposed inthe bottom of said container, brackets .pivotally mounted transverselyadjacent the ends of said housing,'locking strut members pivotallyconnected to said housing and to said brackets for retaining saidbrackat its opposite end a transversely pivoted wheel, the other of saidbrackets havmg disposed at its opposite end a caster with a verticalpivot and transversely pivoted wheel.

4. A substantially rectangular inverted housing provided with wheelcarrying members at its opposite ends adapted to extend below thebottomof said housing in operative position, means for locking said'wheelcarrym members in operative position, means for 0 ding said wheelcarrying members and retaining same within said housing, one of saidmembers being provided with a wheel rotatable in asingleplane, the otherof said memor here being provided with a caster vertically pivotedwhereby said device may be caused to follow acircuitous path, and meansfor attaching said device in an aperture in the bottom of a container;

end thereof wit a wheel transversely pivoted, the other of said bracketsbeing provided with a caster, whereby said device may be caused todescribe a circuitous path, and

means for installing said device in an aperture in the bottom of acarrying case.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed signature. JOHN B. PINHIEIRO.

